Director – Head of Technology Research & Innovation

To strengthen our focus on early-stage technology innovation, we have recently established a new team to focus on Research and Innovation dedicated to Technology Scouting and exploring emerging technologies and future manufacturing opportunities within the domain of processing and value adding of the moulded plastic components.

Here is a phenomenal opportunity to lead the organization’s efforts within early technology exploration, industry and market scouting, concept development, prototyping, and validation of new manufacturing technologies!

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  Stay at the forefront of market and industry trends in technologies related to valuable processing of plastic components, identifying emerging opportunities that can strengthen the future.

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  Drive a strong pipeline of technology and process innovations with the potential to create meaningful business impact through product newness, automation, digitalization, and productivity improvements.

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  Lead and deliver Proof of Concepts (PoCs) for high-priority critical initiatives and committed business plan projects, ensuring timely execution and measurable outcomes.

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  Partner closely with senior leaders across Product Design and Engineering to shape innovation priorities, strategic investments, long-term capability roadmaps, and future technology positioning.

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  Build trusted and collaborative relationships with key partners across the Market & Channels Leadership Team, Product Development Leadership Team, and broader R&D organization, fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where different perspectives are valued and long term roadmaps are aligned and committed.

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  Represent R&D Processing in Product portfolio gate approvals, providing clear recommendations, technical insights, and strategic input while ensuring alignment at Engineering SVP level.

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  Enable smooth transitions from innovation to industrialization by supporting effective handovers to the Technology Transfer Team and contributing to compelling arguments for scaling new technologies and capabilities.

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  Foster and build a culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement by empowering teams, encouraging knowledge sharing, and supporting professional growth across functions and regions.

R&D Processing is responsible for one of the core production technologies within the LEGO Operations Supply Chain. Our mission is to develop and secure the processing production capabilities, technologies, and processes needed to bring new LEGO products to life while continuously improving operational efficiency, quality, and scalability across manufacturing.

A key success factor for this role will be building a pipeline of high-potential innovations that can either enable breakthrough product experiences for consumers or fundamentally transform and improve future processing and production capabilities.

This role requires close strategic collaboration with the Product Development and Market & Channels organizations as key internal partners and team members. In parallel, the team will drive innovation within manufacturing systems, production technologies, and operational processes that can shape the future of factory operations. This will happen in close partnership with other R&D Processing functions and multi-functional teams across the organization.

• Significant experience from industries is characterized by a high pace of product innovation and technology development.

• Proven track record of leading technology innovation, manufacturing systems, and process innovation within a functional leadership role.

• Extensive theoretical and hands-on experience within Research & Development, with a strong focus on production equipment, manufacturing technologies, and process optimization.

• Solid senior leadership experience managing technology-driven functional areas in complex, international organizations.

• Strong leadership, collaborator, and communication skills, with demonstrated success working across multicultural and global environments.

• Strategic approach with a proven track record to drive organizational transformation, build new capabilities, and implement new ways of working.

• Deep expertise in early-stage innovation, including a solid understanding of the required operating models, innovation methodologies, systems, tools, and collaborative ways of working needed to bring new technologies from concept to implementation.

• Inclusive and collaborative leadership style with the ability to inspire, develop, and empower diverse teams.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. However, please note we do amend or withdraw our jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to any advertised closing date. So, if you're interested in this role we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Here is what you can expect: